Top 5 Music Apps for iPhone and Android

Music connects and separates us. We all like music, but we don’t like the same kind of music. The same can be said for music apps for iPhone and Android. We all love music, but we don’t all like the same music apps. The best music apps for iPhone and Android are different in their own way. Yet they all turn your smartphone into a digital jukebox where you can enjoy any type of music you want.

The best music apps owe their existence to the rise of music streaming services. Ten years ago almost everyone bought music from a disc and copied it to their PC. Those who didn’t had to download MP3 files of their favorite songs from the iTunes Store or other smaller services. Smartphones offered enough storage to make dedicated MP3 players unnecessary. Smartphones offered mobile data connections as well as the convenience of carrying only a single device. You can transfer music that does not fit on your phone.

All the best music apps trade on this rich digital music history. Almost all of them connect to some kind of music streaming service. You can listen to their digital catalogs as much as you want without paying more than your monthly fixed fee. Some require no subscription at all. These music apps won’t cost you money, but they will cost you data. In fact, it’s common to rely heavily on your smartphone’s data connection for music and video apps in general. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are launching unlimited data packages, making these data requirements a little easier to tackle.

A few of the best music apps available for iPhone and Android allow you to stream from their catalog without subscribing, provided you can’t skip to the next song or you’re comfortable not being able to listen to a playlist in the order you want.

What Makes a Great Music App?

While each is different in its own way, the best music apps for iPhone and Android all have something in common. They give you access to the music you want to listen to wherever you are.

You can go to their subscription service or have their system match the music you already have and be available everywhere. They offer playlists based on your mood or what moment is relevant in popular culture that day. Tidal, the music service run by rapper Jay-Z, focuses heavily on providing music listeners with high-quality audio and relevant videos that they won’t find anywhere else. The service aims to be more of a music experience than just a music service.

Here are the best music apps for iPhone and Android.

Best Music Apps for iPhone and Android